Healthy No-Bake Salted Dark Chocolate Chunk Oatmeal Cookie Bars.

Yesterday I was all “Let’s Bake”! Today I am all “Let’s not, but act like we did!”.

Jeez, I am so up and down and all over the place these days. I think I just really like to keep things new and fresh around here.

Either that or those darn chickens are really starting to mess with my head. I’m sure you’ve all heard a story or two before about a crazy “cat lady”. Well, I am slightly concerned that I am turning into the crazy “chicken lady”.

I am actually really enjoying our little chickens. Taking care of them is kind of fun and I think it is so cool that we are going to get our own eggs from chickens raised right in our own backyard. It’s a good feeling for sure.

The other day I was so set on skipping a recipe post for just one day and telling you all about the chickens. For some reason I just really, really wanted to talk about them. Of course it was also an excuse to head outside (yeah!) and take an obnoxious amount of pictures. But then it started pouring and I “chickened” out and told myself, no one wants to hear about a bunch of chickens.

Thus, I presented to you these fajitas instead. Maybe one day, if it ever doesn’t rain in the afternoon, I will take some photos, but as of right now, Colorado seems to be calling for rain every afternoon. I am highly disliking it.

It’s such typical mountain weather. Sun in the morning and wicked storms in the afternoon. It actually got so dark the other day I couldn’t even finish taking photos because it went from day to-night in a matter of minutes. And then maybe thirty minutes later the clouds passed and it was sunny again.

Like full on sunshine – crazy, and a little annoying, oh well.

But it’s Friday and we have some cookie bars we need to talk about – and quick, because like I said, it’s Friday and I have a feeling our attention spans are shot from the week.

You may even be looking for a little booze to kick off your weekend, so lets just going already.

I am not sure if you remember, but last summer I posted this recipe for a healthier version of my mom’s oatmeal cookie bar recipe. It’s one of those recipes that I honestly make all the time, my mom makes all the time, and you guys tell me that you make all the time. It is just an awesome recipe.

I wanted to take those flavors and create and even easier, healthier, but just as delicious NO-BAKE oatmeal cookie bar. I wasn’t really sure I could do it. I mean, I’m certainly no “healthy baking” expert, but I used what I know and ingredients that I love and this is what I came up with.

Oh these bars. They taste so good. Just like my mom’s oatmeal cookie bars only a little chewier and a little less crumbly, but the flavor is spot on and the texture is awesome.

For sweetness I used dates. Just dates. Nothing else. Don’t be freaked. You’ll love these. Even if you don’t love dates. Promise.

I never knew what an amazing little ingredient dates were. For one they are incredibly healthy, full of fiber and super sweet. They work double time as the perfect binder and sweetener. The rest is pretty basic, roasted cashews are kind of my secret ingredient. They do have to be roasted though, so no swapping there. Their flavor is awesome and they grind up to a smooth paste perfectly.

Then of course there are oats… and quinoa for added health and texture, and plenty of dark chocolate. Plus sea salt because every cookie needs a little sea salt. It does. Really.

And the best part – these cookies require almost no time to make and they use simple ingredients that I really hope everyone has on hand.

Mega best part – these cookies taste like they should be a thousand and one calories, but they aren’t! They’re chuck full of good for you ingredients.

Instructions

Line a 9x13 in baking dish with parchment paper.

To the bowl of a food processor add the cashews and dates. Process until a thick paste forms, about 2-3 minutes. Add the coconut oil, coconut milk (or almond milk), vanilla and salt. Process until completely smooth and no chunks remain, scrapping down the sides of the bowl once or twice. I let my processor go a full 5 minutes to really allow the mixture to become a super smooth and thick paste.

Meanwhile, add the oats, quinoa and ground walnuts (or almonds) to a large mixing bowl.

Once the cashew mixture is ready (it should be pretty warm and gooey from the food processor running) scoop/pour it into the bowl with the oats. Mix until everything is evenly combined. It will seem thick at first, but just keep mixing and it will all come together. Allow the mixture to cool off a bit (maybe 5 minutes) and then stir in the chocolate chocolate chunks. Press the cookies into the prepared dish. Melt 2 ounces of dark chocolate in the microwave and drizzle it over the bars. Sprinkle with sea salt and place in the fridge for at least 1 hour or until cold. Cut in to bars and keep cold or leave at room temp. Personally, I think these are best kept in the fridge.

SO yes, I am so excited about these. Oatmeal Cookies + Chocolate Chunks and FRIDAY. What a great combo!

I am also looking for a quick snack for some energy right before I work out. My wife is going to have to make a bunch of these. I thought I always had to buy the store version these are healthier and I’m sure tastier!

These looks so good…I love that dates are the sugar and they are no bake. I prefer oatmeal and chocolate than the standard oatmeal and raisins and this is coming from a raisin lover but I think the oats taste better with chocolate. I’m definitely trying this.

The rain in DC has also been out of control lately (like down pouring at 5 pm exactly every.single.day). I’ve been spending like 2 hours in the car getting home in traffic–hallelujah that will be over soon! 🙂

These bars look delicious! I could use more ‘no bake’ desserts in my life.

Tieghan, I would love to hear about your chickens. My grandmother used to raise chickens in her backyard. Me and my cousins always had to much fun when we were going to get the eggs. I wish I could raise chickens too. Maybe one day… I love your recipe, especially because you added dates instead of refined sugar. Have a great weekend 😉

I would read about your chickens! I have chickens too so maybe i’m just biased, haha. It’s amazing how they actually develop their own little personalities and recognize their owners. My mom is the main caretaker of the chickens and they follower her all over and come when called by their names.

Um. What. Tieghan the ingredients in this recipe look and sound absolutely phenomenal. I’m so adding this to my weekly favorites list/post, especially since every day this month has been a let’s-bake-let’s-not day. What a great idea!

No bake + healthy ingredients! This is a win-win in my book! I love making these types of desserts. You don’t feel guilty for grabbing something sweet! Your pictures are amazing 🙂 I will definitely need to make these some time!

Hi there! I was thinking to make these but sub either a nut butter or another type of nut for the cashews (they hurt my tummy). If you were going to try using nut butter, how much would you sub for the cashews? These look really good, the quinoa is a unique addition that sounds good. I have some barley already cooked in the fridge that I was thinking about too (I’ve never been good at following recipes 😉 )

Have just put these in the fridge but not without a taste or two first! You did it again! First experience with Medjool dates and I am sold! (Made your pita sand Mediterranean Greek salad for the umpteenth time yesterday…more awesomeness!!!). THanks for all your work!

I tried these out the other day and I love the fact that they are GF. I had figs in the house so I used those instead of the dates and it reminded of fig newtons. they are great! I am going to make another batch for our church bake sale this weekend (Great American Bake Sale – supporting local food pantries) I am also going to try them with seeds instead of nut for a co-worker with allergies. Now that I have found you I will check your recipes out everyday! Thanks for helping me be healthier!

Fantastic recipe! These are so yummy. I don’t think I waited long enough for the mixture to cool though, a little too impatient, so the smaller chocolate pieces melted through. Definitely don’t look as pretty as yours but these will he a regular in our house now. Thank you!

I just barely made these tonight! I stumbled across your blog for the first time yesterday and these bars intrigued me! I had to make them right away. They were honestly much better than I thought they’d be!! I mean, I knew they LOOKED super tasty, but I honestly have never used dates before so I was skeptical! But seriously, these are super amazing. I would have never thought to blend cashews and dates together (plus the coconut oil and milk) to get a “paste” that works great for holding the bars together. I applaud you. The only slight change I did was I used 3.5 oz of chopped up dark chocolate in the bars, then I melted 1/2 cup of milk chocolate chips to spread on top. Super yummy! Will make again!

I made these today and they are delicious. I live in France and it’s difficult to find coconut oil so I used melted butter instead (I know, not so healthy anymore!) but great taste. I’ll slightly cut down on the oats and add more quinoa next time, thanks for this original snack!

How did I not see this recipe before?! I’m always on the lookout for date sweetened recipes (pretty much the only desserts I eat) and these look perfect! I made your chocolate mocha tarts many times (omg) and I’m sure these are great as well! I’ll try these soon for sure! 🙂

Meet Tieghan Gerard.

I’m Tieghan, the recipes you’ll find here are inspired by the people and places I love most. I try to live simply, eat seasonally, and cook with whole foods. My hope is to inspire a love for amazing food, as well as the courage to try something new!